A Secret About Job Qualifications

Having The Right Qualifications

So you have your degree – or working on it – and you find yourself looking for a job.  Have you perused job listings and have come across a few openings that appeal to you.  Alas, you notice you’re missing one or two job qualities. Do you still apply?  Well, keep this in mind: Individuals that have landed a job were not always the most qualified candidates for the job.  Yes – I’ll say it again: Individuals that have landed a job were not always the most qualified candidates for that job.

I had the pleasure of talking with Aimee Cohen of Cohen Career Consulting and she shared a valuable tip with me that I want to share with you.  Here is how our conversation went:

Inger Johnson: So, what are [hiring managers] really looking for when they are interviewing candidates?

Aimee Cohen: Well….it’s not always the most qualified candidate that gets the job. It’s the one that delivers the best presentation on paper and in person, and nowadays, online.

Inger Johnson: So some people think “Oh, I don’t have all the qualifications,” and the misconception is that you have to have all the qualifications?

Aimee Cohen: Enormous, I mean people will not apply to positions simply because they lack one credential; they lack one line item on the job description. What’s also really important to know is that managers want to work with people that they like.  It’s important to create that rapport element between you and the interviewer.  Also, if you’re coming from a similar industry or from the competition, that can sometimes be a detriment.  Coming from a c lean slate where that organization can train you for their processes, their philosophies, their methodologies is sometimes what they prefer.  Still the rapport is absolutely critical.

Inger Johnson: Okay.

Aimee Cohen: So it can go like this.  “What if we have to go on a corporate retreat? What if we share an office? Is that going to be fun?” That’s actually what [hiring managers] are thinking, whether it’s conscious or sub-conscious that’s how you are being evaluated.

Coming from someone who has a 100% placement rate with her clients, I want to challenge those that are in the job market to keep Aimee’s advice in mind.

What other helpful tips would you have to share when it comes to landing a job?